A trip to Walt Disney World is a magical experience, but it can also be a pricey one. With park tickets, accommodations, food, and souvenirs, the costs can quickly add up. However, with a little planning and some savvy strategies, you can make your Disney vacation more budget-friendly. Here are the hacks that I use to save money on every Walt Disney World vacation:
1. Stay on-site at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
Disney has resort hotels for every budget and taste. The value resorts offer the perks of staying onsite without a high price tag. If you’re flying to Orlando, you won’t need a rental car when staying on-site at Walt Disney World. Disney transportation will get you wherever you need to go! If you do have a car and wish to drive to the parks, you’ll receive complimentary parking for the length of your resort stay.
2. Book early & consider less popular travel dates
Walt Disney World is a popular destination year-round, but there are certain times when it’s less crowded and more affordable. Avoiding major holidays and popular travel dates is a great way to save on your vacation package. Planning your trip in advance locks in your resort and ticket pricing to avoid potential future price increases. If discounts or special offers are released after you book, those can typically be applied to your reservation, depending on availability.
Pro tip: The availability of discounts can vary depending on the resort and room type. It’s a great idea to have alternative resort choices in mind if you are willing to switch it up to save on your resort stay.
3. Save money on food costs with grocery delivery
Consider stocking up on a few groceries, which you can have delivered to your resort hotel. It’s great to have quick breakfast items on hand so you don’t waste precious time on your way to the parks in the morning. If you’d like to prepare some simple meals for even more savings, check out the Deluxe Villa Resort rooms that have a kitchenette or kitchen.
Pro tip: You’re allowed to take bottled water and snacks into the theme parks, so don’t forget to add those items to your order.
4. Maximize your savings with a Disney Dining Plan
A Disney Dining Plan is a convenient way to budget your food costs for your trip. With a bit of planning, you can also save money on your meal and snack costs. If you have character dining experiences on your must-do list, the Disney Dining Plan can save you big. The daily price of the kids’ standard dining plan is less than many of the individual character meals!
Pro tip: Spend a bit of time looking over menus for restaurants you plan to enjoy, along with pricing for snack options. Using your credits on the more expensive items can increase your savings even more!
5. Save with credit card rewards
The Chase Disney Visa card earns you Disney Rewards Dollars on everyday purchases that you can redeem toward vacation packages, tickets, and merchandise. There are occasional special offers on vacation packages just for Disney Visa cardholders. You can also take advantage of discounts on dining, merchandise, and activities at select Walt Disney World locations. You might also consider credit cards that earn airline miles and offer increased reward points on dining and travel purchases. The savings really add up!
Bonus Tip: Your travel counselor at The Magic for Less Travel can help you save money on your Walt Disney World vacation. One of the many benefits of booking with The Magic for Less is that we monitor discounts and apply promotions to your reservation. Be sure to ask about exclusive bonuses when you book select vacation packages!
If you’re not already working with a travel professional, I would love to help you plan and save on your next Disney vacation (or another destination–we help plan vacations all over the world!). You can email me at heather.stevens@themagicforless.com or request a vacation quote here!
